Commandment Number 1

Surviving a Downsizing Transition by Lynda Palazzi continued…….Commandment number 1:   Coldhearted; a word you might think would never apply to you.   Considerate it an important fallback position that underlines the old saying, “When it doubt, throw it out”.

Throwing “it” out, however, does not mean hiring a dumpster.  It means you are moving on to free yourself and at the same time, add to other’s lives, closets and earthly possessions.  Just don’t count on your beloved children and best friends to fight over the treasures you have collected over a lifetime.  Once you have offered and been declined, swallow hard, move on and explore other options.  You may be astounded at how much stranger’s value and appreciate your taste.  Enjoy this experience.  Search out a dealer, either through your local newspaper or organizer or on the web.  Visit antique markets and check out the regulars so you can explore the best way to dispose of your treasures.  There are experts in vintage costume jewelry, all sorts of dishes, cutlery, trinkets, linens, books, postcards, pictures.  Several of my most successful sales were old beaded evening bags, long leather gloves and some of my mother’s old perfume bottles.    Your treasures are treasures to someone.  My favorite story is the old gold metal belt that I proudly bought in Chicago 35 years ago to adorn a crème moiré dress I had made.  That belt was one of my most precious keepsakes because it represented the waist I once had and what it felt like.  With great pride, I offered it to my daughter in law who shuddered and kindly suggested it wasn’t “her taste”.  You can imagine my satisfaction when my wonderful dealer told me it was actually fought over by several young women and sold for a substantial sum.  Yes!!